And we've reached the starting line!

[Brendon Ulen]

We have officially arrived safe and sound at the starting line in the Pondicherry, or Puducherry as it was renamed in 06, or Pondy as everyone calls it.

 

Our flights actually went off without a hitch for once and we even got our checked bag through. We've been starting things off right and treating each other to the inaugurial spoils. I think I may have made a tactical error on that front however. I bought us the first gin n tonic of the trip for a little over 20 bucks in the columbus airport, our first beer in brussels for a little over 12 euros, and then John bought us our first meal in India for 4 bucks with tip. I got hosed. But it's worth it for the well-being and high-spirits of the BlunderBus.

 

We've also already begun stockpiling good karma and getting all of the unfortunate things that are bound to happen out of the way! For instance, we already had our first car wreck on the way from Chennai to Pondicherry. We weren't actually driving. Our bus flattened what I'm guessing was either a bike, scooter, or motorbike. I assume nobody was badly hurt as we only stopped for like 10-15 minutes before the bus kept rolling on. Whew, that covers traffic issues and crashes... one less thing to worry about really...

 

Go Team Madcap BlunderBus!